loader
Page is loading...
Print Logo Logo
Monica Brownewell Smith
OVERVIEW

Monica R. Brownewell Smith

Partner

Indianapolis

11 S. Meridian Street
Indianapolis, IN 46204-3535

South Florida

4540 PGA Boulevard
Suite 208
Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33418

P 317-231-7205

F 317-231-7433

Monica Brownewell Smith defends clients faced with high-stakes product liability and complex commercial litigation claims. She safeguards business interests in and out of court at the local, regional, and national levels. Monica takes a practical approach to resolving litigation, minimizing unnecessary filings and wasted resources while effectively advocating before federal and state courts.

OVERVIEW

Monica Brownewell Smith defends clients faced with high-stakes product liability and complex commercial litigation claims. She safeguards business interests in and out of court at the local, regional, and national levels. Monica takes a practical approach to resolving litigation, minimizing unnecessary filings and wasted resources while effectively advocating before federal and state courts.

Clients frequently benefit from Monica's tailored defense strategies and deep understanding of the unique legal challenges companies face. She works closely with each client to develop and implement approaches that align with their specific case and needs. This personalized attention to dispute resolution and client service often ensures optimal outcomes while maintaining efficiency throughout the legal process.

Her diverse experience spans consumer goods, equipment, chemical substances, drug and medical devices, and machinery. Monica has successfully defended national retailers in talcum powder-related claims and serves as national coordinating counsel in asbestos-related litigation. This breadth of knowledge allows her to navigate complex product liability landscapes with confidence and precision.

Monica also handles class action and multidistrict litigation defense claims, including commercial disputes, product liability claims, and data breaches. Her time as a law clerk for a U.S. District Court judge further honed her skills in various legal areas, including tax evasion, bankruptcy, and constitutional challenges.

Honors

The Best Lawyers in America, 2025

Professional and Community Involvement

Board member, Girl Scouts of Central Indiana

Troop leader, Girl Scouts of Central Indiana

Graduate, Ardath Burkhart Governance and Management Series, United Way Leadership United 

EXPERIENCE
Experiences
  • Secured a significant victory following a three-day final hearing before the Indiana Office of Administrative Law Proceedings. Monica presented the opening statement and took the lead on cross-examination of petitioners’ witnesses. The final hearing was the culmination of an 18-month process in which the Barnes & Thornburg team executed its multi-phase strategy. At summary judgment, though the administrative law judge denied the petitioners’ cross-motions, they made preliminary legal conclusions favorable to our client. The Barnes & Thornburg team utilized these conclusions at the final hearing and in post-hearing proposed findings of fact and conclusions of law to demonstrate our client’s original determination was correct. The judge handed down their decision more than 60 days before the statutory deadline.
  • Defeated class certification on behalf of a firm represented automobile manufacturer. In the case, a significant number of plaintiffs from nearly 25 states across the country sought to certify a nationwide class action alleging that numerous vehicles had a defect. After years of discovery, plaintiffs’ depositions, and motion practice, the team was able to drastically reduce the number of plaintiffs, the number of states at issue, and the number of vehicles to just one model. The court excluded all the plaintiffs’ expert witnesses, based on unfavorable deposition testimony secured by Monica and another Barnes & Thornburg attorney, and ruled that the plaintiffs had not shown that any vehicle, much less all of the one remaining model, were defective. Accordingly, the court denied class certification.
  • Defended JET Credit Union against criminal conversion claim; court reversed lower court's summary judgment order for Loudermilk, holding that Loudermilk could not recover for criminal conversion and remanded the case for entry of summary judgment in favor of firm client, JET. JET Credit Union v. Loudermilk, No. 49A04-0608-CV-475 (Ind. Ct. App. 2008).
  • Represented several multi-unit residential home builders in connection with residential water intrusion claims, subcontractor disputes, warranty issues and construction defect claims.
  • Represented a homebuilding company in a multimillion-dollar class action settlement by asserting claims against subcontractors. Colon v. Trinity Homes, LLC, No 29D02-0404-PL-374 (Hamilton Superior Court No. 2).
INSIGHTS & EVENTS
Trending Connect
We use cookies on this site to enhance your user experience. By clicking any link on this page you are giving your consent for us to use cookies.